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Ratbag's avatar
Ratbag
Member
5 years ago

prolapse after salingo-oophorectomy

So, I can't sleep because I'm feeling a bit annoyed.  Does anyone else feel that if we as patients don't ask the exact right question, we are not given the right advice.  
I had my ovaries and tubes removed as a precaution [BRCA2], after a triple neg breast cancer.  My surgeon gave me a pamphlet on recovery after the operation. That was it.  
I had been exercising daily prior to my operation, and the only comment regarding exercising was to start 4- 6 weeks after the op, avoid strenuous exercise and avoid heavy lifting.  So I eased into the exercise after 5 weeks, 3 times a week, 20 mins of low impact exercises. At week 6 I started back daily 30 mins low impact.  On Monday just gone, week 7,  I did my work out including some core strengthening exercises.  Felt fine.  At 4pm, I was having a shower, and shaving the bikini line and felt a lump to the left of my vagina.  it was palpable and moved where I pushed it.  I then felt it sitting just inside my vaginal opening.  I found a hand mirror and could see that I had a prolapse (not yet confirmed what part of my pelvic floor it is.  (Have an appt Friday with the surgeon who did the op).  But what really concerns me is I then did some research into what NOT to do after having your ovaries and tubes removed and only then did I find out that they recommend not to do sit-ups, planks, leg raises and squats until at least 3 months after the operation, as it puts too much strain on your pelvic floor.  
well, here I was thinking I was actually strengthening my core and I have now done the exact opposite.  No where in the literature I was given, or verbally was I informed I should avoid these type of exercises, which I wouldn't categorize as strenuous.
I'm really hoping that I can fix the prolapse with the correct pelvic floor exercises, and not have to have yet another surgery.  I am supposed to be having my double mastectomy and recon in about a month now that elective surgeries are back on.  I found my lump in my breast 11 months ago, and its just seems like a never ending saga.  I have just been searching on this site, and found a lot of other women in the same boat: that none of the doctors, oncologists, or surgeons really tell you the full extent of the side effects of breast cancer - vaginal dryness, likelihood of atrophy, and prolapses.  Forewarned is forearmed.   Cancer sucks. 
Sorry for the long post,  just needed to vent or cry.  
  • Hi there, this sounds more like a prolapse of vaginal wall from bowel area since so close to vaginal opening. I've had one since my 1st baby. I would suspect it's more than likely related to the sudden drop in estrogen causing vaginal weakness. So yes relates to the surgery but I don't think waiting for any length of time would have changed this. I'm hoping your surgeon is an oncogynaecologist who will understand all your relevant risks. After my 1st baby I used vaginal estrogen cream short term which improved it a little. It varies now and no better or worse on aramatose inhibitor. 
  • @Ratbag glad your feeling a bit better.  The list of things we women have to do to keep ourselves healthy and bits in the right place is never ending and daunting sometimes.  Getting the right physio will be such a big help to you.  XxJulie
  • Hi Ratbag, If you can get in and see a Physio that specialises in Pelvic floor exercises they can see if you’re doing them correctly.
    Im so glad you are feeling more positive today.

    We are all here if you need us at anytime 
    sending a virtual hug xx
  • @Shellshocked2018_, that name is so appropriate isn’t it, that pretty well describes us after being diagnosed.  My Gp has always told me to strengthen my core, as she always commented that my uterus was “low”.  I started an exercise program in 2018, with a core body strength focus and the last time I saw her in 2019, she commented it had improved.  I have read how to do specific pelvic floor exercises, but not sure I’m doing them right.  But I have already noticed an improvement in 24 hours.  Looking forward to seeing a physio ASAP to get it sorted.  I’ve been trying to strengthen my stomach muscles ready for my dble mastectomy and recon but will have to modify them as that’s what has caused this.  Thanks for reaching out, I’m feeling much better than I did yesterday. Xx
  • @JulieVT11, Thankyou so much.  That has definitely lifted my spirits.  I have actually been doing some pelvic floor exercises yesterday and this morning (not sure I’m doing them correctly) but I have already noticed that the bulge isn’t as far down.  Still doesn’t look or feel right.  But from your experience I feel that I can come right with exercise.  I think I was just panicked because my mum had a massive uterine and rectal collapse. Had a huge operation with mesh which took months to recover from.  Really appreciate your input. Xx
  • @Ratbag I had a prolapse approx 2 years after 2nd ovary removal. Saw my GP straight away who thought that it was a very severe prolapse and that surgical repair was my only option.  Then saw the gynaecologist who turned out to be very anti-surgery and referred me a specialist physio in this area.   The physio was just so fantastic and gave me all these exercises to do and everything pretty much returned to normal.  Good luck with your recovery, prolapse is the most awful feeling and for me anyway was actually quite painful.
  • Hi Ratbag and welcome to this forum of a wealth of information and support from others who understand how you are feeling .

    I also was diagnosed with triple negative BC in late October 2018.
    I can’t help you with your current issue with a prolapse, and I’m sorry to hear about what you are going through.
    I had a hysterectomy around 8 years before my diagnosis, my ovaries were left intact, and I had to be careful of how much exercise and straining I put on my body in the early stages after surgery.  Mind you my surgery was like having a C section birth, so I could hardly walk for weeks.
    I did see a Physiotherapist to learn how to do pelvic floor exercises to try and prevent a prolapse, when I thought that things didn’t seem quite right in that region, on several occasions I found myself pushing things back inside. Pelvic floor training helped me, I didn’t or haven’t had any surgery to have it fixed.
    I hope that you will also have success in being trained by a physiotherapist on how to do your pelvic exercises correctly.

    Happy to have a chat anytime if you have any other questions 
    Wishing you the best, sending virtual hugs xx